The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-12
YESTERDAYS SECOND EDITION.
THE following items of news appeared IN our
Second Edition of Sunday
Germanv.s Military Force.

ECopyrght 1887 by the New York Associated PRESS
BERLIN Dec. 10.-The preamble of the new
German military-service bill was issued tonight
1t aboun6s In plain speaking regardinc the
armies which Germany must calculate upon
facing the field of battle. 1t sets forth tnat
the German army is composed OF men Wnose
liability serve in the active army extends over
twelve years, whereas in the RUSSIAN army tne
period is fifteen years, and in the french twenty.
Besides this. it must be considered, saws the
preamble, that the geographic position OF 9sr
many exposes her to attacks by powerful
armies on two frontiers simultaneously. In the
face of this threatening danger there still Jacks
firm foundation for the assured existence anu
development of Germany. Her security lies In
her strength, and this should be greater than IL
is at present. An end must be put TO the exist
ing uncomfortable condition of things. The gov
eminent, therefore, expects that to secure the
passage of the present BILL 1t will be suffi-
Gent to appeal to the patriotism OF
fasheriand. after being united, shall be pre-
served in it's integrity. By the bill before the
Reichstae, the six yearly classes formerly COM
posing part of the landsturm, are placed in
immediate readiness for any dangerous emer-
gency. The increased cost of administration IN
volved in augmenting the number OF men VINO
have to answer roll call will not exceed 1oO. 600
marks. Bavaria included The non recurring
expenditures incurred in providing new papers
for the in modifying old papers IS
estimated at 100000 marks, including Bavaria
and for the navy, to meet the cost of new arms.
uniforma and equipments, further measures
are in ntemplation.
The whole tone OF this remarkable m8ulIeSto
suggests that the recent outburst of tho official
press over the massing of Russian troops on the
frontier had something of Fictitious character.
Prince Bismark is known to have greatly hurt
the chances for the immediate passage of the
landsturm bill, which the military press now
estimates will add 500, 600 men to the effective
campaign. recalling the similar agitation pre-
ceiling the septenste vote. was melted and
will be sustained until the bill passes.
Although the governments motive IN foment-
zcuto 10 lnah "a d.
ant reasons why the country shonld be Kept on
the alert toward Russia The reports OF the
concentration of Russia troops on the frontier
at the present time are incorrect, but the move
ments recorded in these dispatches three months
ago resulted In placing on the Austro-German
frontier 1872 infantry battalions. nlnety-eleht
sauadrons and sixty-four batteries of artillery.
Those movements were part OF q long-concerted
plan or the Russian War Office. While progress
ing they were not held as an immediate menace
either to Germany or to Austria, out were con
sdered to be necessitated by the special difficult
ties of Russian modifying. This view the German
government is still disposed to admit. At the
same time, the presence of formidable masses
OF Russians within striking distance OF the
frontier will be held by the Reichstag as Justl-
fication for the complete reform OF the mill
tary No real fear exists. in either Berlin or
Vienna official circles, that Russia will enter
upon aggressive movement The present
alarm. besides assisting the passage of the mill
tary bill. will restrain the Russian war party.
The Gar still oscillates between the party Of
peace and the Pan-Slavists. and the present sgi-
tation will influence him to understand the
danger he runs in listening to councillors hostile
to Germany and Austria.
The Cologne Gazette tonight again sounds
the alarm in a telegram from Pesth stating that
the Minister of War has ordered the local
authorities Immediately totforward to him lists
of the horses available for military service and
the vehicles capable OF use in the event OF the
army being modified next year. On the other
hand. the Pesther Lloyd, in a pacific article in
vites Russia to state her policy regarding Bull
garia, relying upon the disposition OF the allied
powers to meet Russian views and to maintain
peace, with loyal observance of treaties. The
paper concludes tn at the powers are not disposed
to be s,i .klers about persons OF empty formall-
ties. The article comedies with the belief. held
in high diplomatic quarters that Germany and
Austria will compel Prince Ferdinand to aboi-
cate if Russia will bring forward q suitable
candidate for the Bulgarian throne.